Cyberbullying

Cyber bullying is the use of technology to harass, embarrass, threaten, or target another person. Kids start getting cell phones at an early age. They start playing games online and sending texts on their cell phones, and most teens have smart phones that keep them constantly connected to the Internet. Many are logged on to Facebook and chatting or sending text messages all day. This is what starts the bullying. (1)

Examples of Cyber Bullying

• Sending mean text messages or threats to a person's email account or cell phone.  
• Posting threatening or hurtful messages on social networking sites or web pages.
• Sexting- sending sexual pictures or messages of a person.
• Stealing a person's account information to break into it and send damaging messages.
• Pretending to be someone else online to hurt another person. 
• Spreading Rumors online or through texts.

The Effects of Cyber Bullying

Victims of cyber bullying may experience many of the same effects as children who are bullied in person, such as a drop in grades, low self-esteem, a change in interests, or depression. However cyber bullying can seem more extreme to its victims because of several factors:

• It occurs in the child's home. Being bullied at home can take away the place children feel most safe.
• It can be harsher. Often kids say things online that they wouldn't say in person, mainly because they can't see the other person's reaction. 
• It can be far reaching. Kids can send emails making fun of someone to their entire class or school with a few clicks, or post them on a website for the whole world to see.
• It can be anonymous. Cyber bullies often hide behind screen names and email addresses that don't identify who they are. Not knowing who is responsible for bullying messages can add to a victim's insecurity.
• It may seem inescapable. It may seem easy to get away from a cyber bully by just getting offline, but for some kids not going online takes away one of the major places they socialize.

Cyber bullying can be a complicated issue, especially for adults who are not as familiar with using the Internet, instant messenger, or chat rooms as kids. But like more typical forms of bullying, it can be prevented when kids know how to protect themselves and parents are available to help.

Here is a video of of two parents talking about their daughter Megan who was found dead hanging from the inside of her closet because of the constant harass she got from cyber-bullying.

1. Source: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/cyberbullying.html

2. Source:http://www.internetsafety101.org/

3. Source: http://www.ncpc.org/topics/cyberbullying/what-is-cyberbullying